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A press photographer found himself in front of the camera for a change when he was presented with a prestigious police award during a ceremony he was covering for his paper.

Wiltshire Times photographer Trevor Porter was summoned to receive acertificate of appreciation from the county’s chief constable, ElizabethNeville.

Trevor had been busy taking pictures of officers and members of the public receiving long service and bravery awards, when the award was made in appreciation of his strong sense of community – and for the help he had given to Wiltshire Constabulary.

After the awards Trevor said: “This was a complete surprise, I’ve beenwell and truly stitched up by colleagues who knew this was coming up.

“But it’s a lovely tribute. I have always had an excellent workingrelationship with local police and it’s great to know that your effortsare appreciated.”

Wiltshire Times editor Stephen White said: “Trevor really deserves thisaward.

“He is from the old school of journalism and is always prepared togo that extra mile for that elusive picture, no matter what time it is,or what the weather is like, or what danger it might put him in.

“His rapport and contacts with the police and other emergency servicescoupled with his willingness to respond to their calls, whatever timethey come, often pays off and he has come up with some crackingpictures.”

Trevor, of Trowbridge, entered journalism as a freelance in 1979 whenhis pictures began appearing in the Western Daily Press.

He signed a freelance contract with the Wiltshire Times in 1982 and continued to work for both papers until he was signed up full-time by the Wiltshire Times in November 1999.

A citation read out at the police awards included: “Trevor has coveredeverything from funerals of famous people to major fires and seriouscrime. The murder of PC Desmond Kellam [in 1979] shocked the communityof Trowbridge and beyond. It was Trevor’s pictures which brought thepoignancy of his death home to both police officers and local people.

“Despite insults and physical assaults, Trevor has stuck with his job tothe bitter end to get his picture. Cars crashing just feet away from himat Castle Combe racing circuit, near Chippenham, and even being attackedon several occasions have never stopped Trevor keeping his camerafocused on the job.

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